find the right onenatality controlIt can be just as exhausting as using Tinder. But if you're considering using the Mirena IUD, it helps to be aware of the side effects before you commit.
While this method of birth control has great benefits, like an oven without bread, it also has potential side effects.
Side effects of the Mirena IUD may include:
- weight gain
- Acne
- breast pain
- ovarian cysts
- Humor
- electric shock
- Headache
- irregular bleeding
- missed periods
Here you will find everything you need to know about the side effects of the Mirena IUD and the true likelihood of these effects.
Mirena is a releasing hormoneIntrauterine weighing (IUP)placed in your womb to prevent or treat pregnancyhard times(or both!). It looks like a tiny "T" and works by releasing small amounts of the progestin hormone levonorgestrel directly into the uterus.
Having an IUD is great for anyone who doesn't want to worry about rememberingTake a pillor get shot. It can also help shorten or eliminate your periods.
IUDs last for several years, and Mirena can be left in place for 5 to 6 years, depending on whether you use it primarily to control excessive blood flow or to prevent pregnancy.
weight gain
There are many reasons why you could gain a few pounds, but Mirena probably isn't one of them.
While some people say that Mirena causes weight gain, there is actually no evidence to support this. The truth is,mirena's pageIt also doesn't mention weight gain as one of the more common side effects of the device.
Acne
IUDs are great for keeping the uterus clean, but they are notclear skin? Maybe not so much. Hormonal IUDs, including Mirena, can probablylead to acne.
ARuckblick 2008on the safety and side effects of Mirena noted that hormonal IUDs containing levonorgestrel (the main ingredient in Mirena) may increase the likelihood of acne.
breast pain
The breast pain that you probably feel during your period is the result of an increase in progesterone, a hormone produced by your ovaries.
There is no research on how often this pain occurs when using Mirena. But it would make sense if you experience this side effect since the device releases progesterone, a synthetic version of progesterone.
ovarian cysts
Mirena can causeovarian cystsdevelop in some people. Although these cysts usually go away on their own in 2 to 3 months, they can be painful.
Some cysts require surgery, so talk to your doctor if you start to feel pain or discomfort.
change of humor
Given the link between hormonal contraception, such as the Mirena IUD, andDepression, the search is somewhat confusing.
For a study on birth control and depressionReleased in 2016, the researchers collected data from 1 million participants over a 14-year period.
The study found that people using hormonal birth control were 1.4 times more likely to be prescribed antidepressants. However, these results did not take into account those who may have suffered from depression but were not prescribed medication.
However,a study published in 2018suggested that progestin-based birth control methods like Mirena do not lead to depression.
Do you think you need help?
If you have symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor. They can help determine if the cause is your birth control method or something else, and help you explore your treatment options.
electric shock
Cramps are an annoying but common side effect.when inserting. Fortunately, the cramps should go away within 30 minutes.
if you find outdeadly crampsContact your doctor more than 30 minutes after insertion or within the first few days. Your Mirena may not be positioned correctly or something else may be at play.
Headache
Respectivelymirena's page, headache, etcmigraine episodes(ugh) are common side effects. If you already suffer from headaches or migraines, talk to your doctor before choosing Mirena to determine if it's the best option for you.
irregular bleeding
Since Aunt Flo's visit isn't fun enough, you might as well bleed orSpotting between periodsIn the first year you have a Mirena IUD.
This irregular bleeding may be heavier at first and then become lighter. But it should stop at the end of the first year. If you continue to have heavy bleeding, call your doctor to see what is going on.
missed period
MY time?Before you worry think about itapproximately 1 out of 5Mirena users stop menstruating within 1 year.
Still, it's always better to be safe: when you think it might be youpregnant, take a pregnancy test or contact your doctor.
And don't forget: after you remove Mirena, your regularly scheduled Shark Week will return as usual.
Oh, insert. For some, this process is a bit awkward. For others it is downright painful. The experience is like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get.
RespectivelyFDA, you may feel weak, dizzy, or have cramps when Mirena is inserted.
Once inside, you may experience pain, dizziness, or bleeding. Butmirena's pagesays these symptoms should go away in 30 minutes.
When to call your doctor
If the pain, bleeding, or dizziness does not go away after 30 minutes, call your doctor. The IUD may have been inserted incorrectly or not in the correct place.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you develop a fever or unexplained pain a few days after onset, as this could be a sign of sepsis. it's sepsisveryrare but very serious.
The first year with a Mirena IUD can feel like a roller coaster as your body adjusts to this strange new tenant.
The first 3 to 6 months may involve irregular periods, longer or heavier periods, cramps, or spotting. You may still feel some of these effects as your body adjusts to the IUD, but they usually go away over time.
As you celebrate your insertion anniversary, you may have delightfully light periods. You too could be one of the 1 in 5 users advertised on the Mirena website who do not have a period by the end of the first year!
By year 3 (sometimes even 2 years) and beyond, you should have fewer side effects. Your periods should be lighter and less uncomfortable, and you probably won't have any more acne or sore breasts (yeah!).
On the other hand, you may still have occasional bleeding or irregular periods (boo!).
Removing an IUD is quite simple: Your doctor will use a special instrument to secure the IUD strings and gently guide it out of the uterus. Cramping or bleeding may occur during this process. Serious side effects or complications rarely happen.
You may have irregular periods for the first few months after the extraction, but your blood flow should stabilize over time.
If you are looking to getpregnant, the Mirena website says that you can test immediately once the device is removed. Not planning on popping a bagel in the oven? Be sure to use othersforms of contraceptionat the moment.
Mirena can be used for 5 to 6 years. After that you need to remove or replace it.
Prepare for déjà vu when using a new Mirena, as you are likely to experience similar side effects as the first time. Some people say that the second time comes with fewer side effects, but there is no scientific evidence for this.
I did not forget it!
If you've had serious problems with your IUD, be sure to talk to your doctor before inserting a new one, especially if your body has expelled an IUD in the past (more on that in a bit).
PID
Pelvic inflammation (PID)It is a common infection that is often (but not always!) caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STD).
RespectivelyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you are at increased risk of developing PID within the first 3 weeks of IUD use.
If you have any of these PID symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible:
- irregular bleeding
- pain during sexor when urinating
- hold the brakes
- fatigue
- Fever
- smellyvaginal discharge
expulsion
Just like you kick a student out of school, your uterus may choose to expel the IUD (or move it so it ends up in the wrong place).
Make sureCheck your IUD strings regularlyto make sure you are where you need to be. Mirena recommends doing this monthly.
Contact your doctor if you do not feel the threads or if they seem longer than normal.
Drill
In rare cases, an IUD can perforate the uterus; this is called perforation. RespectivelyAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this happens in only 0.14% of hormonal IUD insertions.
You are at increased risk of perforation if the IUD is inserted soon after birth or while breastfeeding. The IUD must be surgically removed if it pierces the uterus and enters the abdominal cavity.
the pregnancy
to have your chancespregnantwhile in Mirena they are quite thin. But thatEspossible -0.2 percentof Mirena users become pregnant in the first year.
An IUD during pregnancy can affect your fertility, and even onespontaneous abortion. If you are using Mirena (or any other IUD) and think you may be pregnant, talk to your doctor right away.
(Video) My IUD/ Mirena Experience ☆ Insertion, Removal, Side Effects & More!
Hormonal birth control methods like the Mirena IUD have a number of advantages, but side effects are also possible. These effects can range from common experiences like blemishes and acne to rare and serious (and rare) side effects like piercings.
Depending on your specific situation, side effects may or may not occur when using Mirena. If you have any questions, concerns, or experience uncomfortable symptoms, please speak with your doctor.